Major League Pickleball San Diego Playoffs: The Major League Pickleball (MLP) playoffs are taking place this weekend at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma, marking the first time the event has come to San Diego. The competition runs through Sunday, with tickets starting at $25.
Pro Pickleball Expands
Samin Odhwani, commissioner of Major League Pickleball, said the arrival of the playoffs in San Diego highlights the sport’s rapid growth.
Pro pickleball is here,” Odhwani said. “The amateur game is taking off. There’s so many people playing. There’s courts being built. So it was only a matter of time for pro pickleball to finally arrive on the scene, and I feel like it finally made it.”
Celebrity Ownership
MLP has gained major attention due to celebrity team owners. Drew Brees is supporting his team, the L.A. Mad Drops, during the playoffs. Other owners include LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kim Clijsters.
“Drew Brees, a great example, he’s going to be out here this weekend, supporting his team, the L.A. Mad Drops. You’ve got LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kim Clijsters, some amazing team owners all across Major League Pickleball and it’s really fun for us to get an opportunity for them to join in on the growth of the sport,” Odhwani told ABC 10News.
Players Making the Switch
Many professional players transitioned from tennis to pickleball. Texas Ranchers star Eric Oncins explained how he first discovered the game.
“What is this? Like what is this sport that’s like mini-tennis? And then we went to try it, and we started playing every day in the afternoon, like the open play hours at the public park,” Oncins said.
Future of the Sport
Odhwani believes pickleball will continue to grow and become one of the country’s top sports.
“Pickleball is going to be a tier one sport. It’s going to be up there with the NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer. I have no doubt about it,” Odhwani said.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball San Diego Playoffs
The Major League Pickleball playoffs are being held this weekend at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. Celebrity owners like Drew Brees, LeBron James, and Tom Brady back teams. With growing players and fans, Commissioner Samin Odhwani predicts pickleball will soon rival major U.S. sports.